Modeling Dynamic Helium Release as a Tracer of Rock Deformation

Gardner, W. Payton; Bauer, Stephen J.; Kuhlman, Kristopher L.; Heath, Jason E.

doi:10.1002/2017jb014376

Modeling Dynamic Helium Release as a Tracer of Rock Deformation

Journal Article · Fri Nov 03 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/2017jb014376· OSTI ID:1411603

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Univ. of Montana, Missoula, MT (United States). Dept. of Geosciences
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Geomechanics Dept.
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Applied Systems Research Dept.

Here, we use helium released during mechanical deformation of shales as a signal to explore the effects of deformation and failure on material transport properties. A dynamic dual-permeability model with evolving pore and fracture networks is used to simulate gases released from shale during deformation and failure. Changes in material properties required to reproduce experimentally observed gas signals are explored. We model two different experiments of 4He flow rate measured from shale undergoing mechanical deformation, a core parallel to bedding and a core perpendicular to bedding. We also found that the helium signal is sensitive to fracture development and evolution as well as changes in the matrix transport properties. We constrain the timing and effective fracture aperture, as well as the increase in matrix porosity and permeability. Increases in matrix permeability are required to explain gas flow prior to macroscopic failure, and the short-term gas flow postfailure. Increased matrix porosity is required to match the long-term, postfailure gas flow. This model provides the first quantitative interpretation of helium release as a result of mechanical deformation. The sensitivity of this model to changes in the fracture network, as well as to matrix properties during deformation, indicates that helium release can be used as a quantitative tool to evaluate the state of stress and strain in earth materials.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525

OSTI ID:: 1411603

Report Number(s):: SAND--2017-4431J; 652815

Journal Information:: Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 122; ISSN 2169-9313

Publisher:: American Geophysical UnionCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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